Eating On the Run? 6 Tips for Making the Right Choices

 





Let’s face it: we don’t always have time to cook a healthy meal for our families. Whether it’s because of work, school or other obligations, cooking a full meal three times a day, seven days a week, just isn’t feasible. You may find yourself carting the kids around town only to find yourself deluged with the familiar chorus of “I’m hungry!”

Drive-thru fare may not be what you want for your children but it may be unavoidable. While there’s nothing wrong with the occasional Happy Meal, you can make the right choices with a bit of forethought. 




Here are six tips for making the right choices when eating on the run with the kiddos:

Plan Ahead

If you know that you and the kids will be spending the day running errands, plan ahead to stave off the hungries. Pack a cooler full of chopped vegetables, chunks of fruit or even granola bars and yogurt cups. These light snacks can keep your children full enough to wait for a proper meal until you can make it home. Small bellies can easily be filled with a granola bar and a few pieces of fruit!

Take Time to Read the Menu 

When you do find yourself at the nearest fast-food restaurant, take time to read and understand the menu. Instead of a breaded chicken sandwich, order your kids one that is grilled. Rather than a side of fries, look for a side salad or apple dippers. When you’re at the drive-thru, avoid fat-laden beverages like milkshakes and opt for a bottle of water or two percent milk instead.

Supersized Portions 

Did you know that a regular sized portion at a fast-food restaurant is actually larger than an actual serving size when it comes to caloric content? There is never a time that it’s okay to super-size your meal! For a startling example, one order of super-size fries at McDonald’s packs a whopping 610 calories. A moderately active toddler needs between 1,000 and 1,400 calories per day. One pit-stop at McDonald’s could give them more than half of their daily caloric intake requirement!

Skip the Buffet 

Buffets are popular because you can get in and out as quickly as if you were going the fast-food restaurant. Many people are more apt to make unhealthy choices at a buffet that at almost any other restaurant. If you must stop at a buffet, choose the salad and fruit bars over the carb-laden hot foods bar.

Make a List

When you’ve got the time, sit down with your computer and make a list of the healthier choices at the restaurants nearby. All of the popular fast-food chains have menus online that are very easy to find. Keep the list on your car’s visor so that you can refer to it whenever you need to. Doing so will save you time from having to scrutinize the menu every time you stop for lunch.

Undress Your Food 

When you pull into your local Burger King, Subway or McDonald’s, think about ways that you can undress your food to make it healthier. Skipping sauces, opting for no cheese and even choosing flatbread over regular can help save on fat and calories. Who wants Big Mac sauce finger-painted all over the back seat anyway?

You obviously don’t want to take your kids out for a quick meal on a regular basis but, when it can’t be helped, knowing how to choose the healthiest options is in everyone’s benefit. One of the best things you can do is to choose healthy options for yourself! Remember that you are the best example for your wee ones.


Renee Varney is a freelance blogger and occasionally writes for delivery.com a site she loves using to find local Food Deliveries using their Chicago Delivery directory. 

Are We Toying With Our Children's Health?

Are you ready to go back to the good ol' days of children playing Duck Duck Goose and Mother May I in the backyard? It seems that those type of children are almost completely non-existent, and we've replaced them with children who are dependent on technology and toys that require batteries, or better yet, electric outlets.

It may seem so much easier to keep an eye on our children when they are locked down behind the Wii, Playstation or computer, but the truth is, even if our children have turned in outdoor play and exercise with education television and games, they can be facing some detrimental statistics.  

Created by RomanticFrugalMom.com | Love Letters | Love Letters For Her

Source List:

Journal of the American Medical Association

http://www.usatoday.com/news/health/weightloss/2010-01-13-obesity-rates_N.htm

http://www.cdc.gov/obesity/data/trends.html http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Obesity_in_the_United_States http://www.getamericafit.org/statistics-obesity-in-america.html

http://www.safekids.com/2010/01/24/kids-spend-7-5-hours-per-day-on-entertainment-media/

Conair Weight Watchers Inspirational Glass Scale (Review and Giveaway!)

With a focus on healthy living and improving our lives in 2012, this review and giveaway fits in perfectly! Introducing the simplistic, yet elegant Weight Watchers Inspirational Glass Scale by Conair.

I see you're looking at the image of the scale and you're wondering what exactly makes it "inspirational"? Well, Weight Watchers and Conair decided that the same things that motivate our children might just motivate us! But, before we get to that, let me tell you about the scale itself:

Weight Watchers scales by Conair are fragile, yet elegant looking at first glance. My initial reaction was to hug my arms around it and keep it at a distance from little children's hands. That was until I read that the scales are made of tempered glass. Of course, that doesn't mean that I don't have to watch over mine, because tempered glass will break, too, however they won't shatter into slices and shards like regular glass would, rather it would be more like chunks of glass if it were to break. I still keep a close eye on my Conair WW58S and have yet to completely surrender it to the bathroom.

Everyone Weigh In!

We all did get some enjoyment out of seeing how much everyone weighed, including the baby, who just started to sit up recently, and was able to fit on top of the scale's 12.4 inch by 12.4 inch platform. We were able to sit the once 4 lb, 15 ounce Chase on the sleek scale and the digital number increased to 19.7, where it stopped! At 6 months old! We weighed everyone, from smallest to biggest, and even the little kids were shouting out the right numbers when they lit up on the 1.5 inch display that will show either lbs or kgs. 

Even though there are long-life batteries and a limited ten-year warranty, we haven't needed to worry about the battery or the warranty yet, and hopefully, we never will.

What Motivates Us?

So, I mentioned earlier that Conair and Weight Watchers decided to implement a motivation system with their scales that normally works for our children. What is the trick? Stickers! Or decals, as they call them.

Some of the inspirational quotes that came with mine are:

"Live the Life You Have Imagined" -Henry Thoreau

"Whatever you believe, You can ACHIEVE."

"Explore, Dream, Discover" -Mark Twain


"I am more than what I do, and more than what I own."

and "determination!"

Then, there are also butterflies and a lipstick kiss to decorate around your chosen inspirational saying. 

Buy It: The Weight Watchers by Conair Digital Scale Model WW58S can be purchased online at Conair and retail around the $29.99 price point. Also, look at retailers like Kmart to see if they carry this scale.


Win It: Before you buy it, you might want to enter to win one free right here on Mommy Rantings! One of you will win the Weight Watchers by Conair Digital Scale Model WW58S!

Mandatory Entry: Have you made any plans for 2012 that you may need inspiration for? Leave a comment to tell me your plans for 2012 and what it would take to inspire you!

Leave one comment for each extra entry and don't forget to leave your email so I can contact you!

Want extra entries? (Remember to leave a comment for each entry!)

1) Like Conair on Facebook.
2) Follow Conair on Twitter.
3) Like Mommy Rantings on Facebook.
4) Follow Mommy Rantings on Twitter.

This giveaway will end at 12am EST sharp on March 19th! Sorry, our international friends, the giveaway is open to U.S. residents only. Good Luck!

This review and giveaway was sponsored by Conair. Thank you! No compensation was received and all opinions are truthful.

Backpain During Pregnancy

I was conversing with a cousin on Facebook who was complaining about his back pain and thought, "Oh! I could write a book about back pain!" Back pain during pregnancy is part of the "norm" for me, especially the past few pregnancies and during the last trimester. Even when I am not pregnant, I still experience back pain, but pregnancy definitely exacerbates it.

I blame some of the pain and discomfort on having a handful of epidurals and even sitting at the computer, because I am normally active (with 6 kids, how can I not be?) and am on the thinner side of the spectrum, so it's not due to being overweight or lack of exercise.

Some days, I can barely move....other days, it's just hard to bend down and pick things off of the floor.

1) One of the things that helped me tremendously was visiting the chiropractor, however not everyone has the ability to enjoy that "luxury". I was fortunate enough to find a chiropractor that would not accept insurance, but only charged a $20 fee for each visit - Advanced Chiropractic, if any of you are in York, South Carolina. I recommend that you call around to chiropractors in your area to see what "deals" they can provide if you don't have insurance or have to pay high premiums.

2) The chiropractor was adamant about using ice, rather than heat. Now, I love my heating pad and will keep it plugged in and ready to go during the last few months of pregnancy...ice just doesn't feel as soothing. There are definitely mixed opinions on the heat versus ice topic...so, it will depend on you and what makes you more comfy.

3) A hot bath is always a great back pain reliever! (especially ours - we currently live in a house with a jacuzzi tub!)

4) On really uncomfortable days, I will sit in the "criss-cross applesauce" (my kids taught me that), otherwise known as the "Indian style" (what I called it when I was a kid) position and stretch my arms straight above my head. Keep your back tall and straight and stretch! I also like to reach my arms over my head to the sides to get an extra little stretch. You can twist your body to the right and place your hands on the floor (with straight arms) behind your right leg - and then turn to the left and do the same. Remember to keep your back tall and straight. Stretching those muscles, believe it or not, is really good for the body!

5) The "cat stretch" is one of my favorites, too. Get on the floor on your hands and knees like you're a cat (on all "fours") and curl your back up for 15 second and then relax. Repeat as much as you like.

6) Arm circles help to "stretch it out", too.

7) Practice good posture. Don't slump...bla, bla, bla...we all know what good posture is...and it's essential for everyone, but even more important for those of us who experience back pain.

8) Exercise - yes, exercise! It gets that blood circulating to the muscles...and, of course, it's good for you!

You will find that not only are some of these ideas great for your back, they are also excellent for relieving stress. :) Hot baths, good posture, stretching (yoga) and a chiropractor...now, tell me those things won't relieve some stress too!

What have you done to relieve your back pain? I'd love to add some more ideas to my regimen!

Best Food for Kids and Their Teeth

Guest blog post by Hannah Daniel

When it comes to your kids, a simple smile can melt your heart. Keeping that smile in great condition should be a high priority, especially since poor oral hygiene can extend dental problems well into adulthood! The food they eat plays an important part in helping take care of their teeth.

Crunchy Food

Most kids love fun food that has a satisfying crunch, but its benefits go beyond using food as a plaything. It won’t replace a toothbrush, but that crunch actually helps stimulate the gum and scrub the teeth. It also stimulates saliva production, which helps wash away residue in the mouth as well as keeps things circulated so that it’s more difficult for bacteria to settle and start decaying the teeth. These are some of the best:

• Apples (especially if you bite straight into the apple instead of slicing it)
• Carrots
• Celery

Eat plenty of these fruits and vegetables for a fun, easy way to help keep their teeth clean.

Strawberries

In addition to being sweet and delicious, strawberries also help whiten the teeth. They are naturally acidic, so being in contact with the teeth even while chewing can help brighten them just a tiny bit. This only works with fresh strawberries, though – sugary strawberry treats actually do more harm than good.

Dairy

We all know that calcium helps build strong bones, but many of us don’t consider that our teeth benefit from calcium as well. Calcium strengthens the teeth, and your kids can get it from milk, yogurt, cheese, and most other dairy products. Cheese especially has a high phosphate content which helps level the mouth’s pH balance to prevent bacteria from leading to cavities.

Water

Drinking water is one of the most important ways you can promote dental health in your child. Juice and milk are healthy in moderation, but allowing children to drink a lot of it without a larger percentage of water can hurt their teeth since those drinks introduce extra sugars into the mouth. This becomes worse if young children go to bed with a bottle, allowing milk or juice to pool around the teeth, which is the perfect breeding ground for harmful bacteria. Additionally, water washes debris from the mouth and promotes saliva flow.

It’s still very important to take your child to the dentist every 6 months for a checkup and professional cleaning, but there’s a lot you can do in the meantime. Dental health doesn’t have to be expensive. It can all start with just a few simple foods that your kids already love.

Hannah Daniel writes for the 1Dental blog about dental and health care. She enjoys keeping people up to date on dental health news and helping them save money on dental care through discounts with CharterDental.

Summer Tips For Moms With Anxiety

Guest blog post by Jill Greene

As a mom of 2 who suffers from anxiety, summer can be a bit much for me. Although I love the fact that my girls are home, the general unstructured nature of summer vacation can leave me feeling anxious and more prone to panic attacks. At the same time, I know this is such a wonderful time of year and I want to enjoy it regardless of anxiety. It is in this spirit that I gathered these tips for a happy summer for anxious moms everywhere..

1. Have a schedule and stick to it. If you're home with your kids in the summer, go to bed and wake up at the same time every day. This helps keep your hormones balanced and can promote feelings of well being. It may be tempting to sleep in or stay up all night, but if you are prone to anxiety or panic attacks, a regular sleeping schedule is super important.

2. Have your children on a schedule too. Of course you don't want to be a drill sergeant, but a general schedule is good for kids of all ages. My older girl is a teen and would sleep all day if I let her. Giving the kids age appropriate chores that they must do to contribute to the household is a great way for them to feel that what they does matters. Keep a chart and use stickers for the little ones. Running the household is everyone's
responsibility in the family and so all members can- and should contribute.

3. Get out and enjoy the fresh air and sunshine. Take walks with the kids and the dog if you have one. Go before the hottest times of the day. Early morning or evening walks are a wonderful way to get some exercise and share family time together too. You can go to parks, hiking trails, or even around the neighborhood. Make regular walks together a priority- it's so good for easing stress and anxiety.

4. Don't stress over the social stuff. For some moms, summer is a time to party and hang out. As someone with anxiety attacks, this is not something I find enjoyable, especially when there is a lot of drinking involved. If you are invited to big get togethers with freinds, it's okay to limit your time there so that you feel comfortable. I like to go to parties early and socialize before the booze and drinking shenanigans begin.

5. Take extra good care of yourself. Commit to spending a few minutes each day doing deep breathing exercises, or contemplating loving, healing thoughts in quiet meditation. If you belong to a gym, this is an excellent time to start a yoga practice. Also remember to cut back on caffeine and refined sugar, as these can make you jittery.

6. Please try to enjoy yourself. Whether you spend your time dreading each day or really tring to make the most of the hot days with your kids, the fact is, summer will go by in a flash. I spent many a summer when my girls were younger just wishing the days away and I regret it now. If your anxiety tends to flare up during summer vacation, use these tips to help you feel better. Know that your anxiety may wax and wane, and you can choose to make the best out of this wonderful time of the year.

Jill Green is a mom, wife, and recovering anxious woman who writes an anxiety self help blog. Please read her Panic Away review for more information on the program that helps her overcome panic attacks. If you struggle with panic, there is hope, there is help!

Thank you, Jill, for sharing your story and tips with the readers of Mommy Rantings!

How do you handle the stress of summer?

Sensory Processesing Disorder: My Daughter's Story

I saw an awesomely descriptive blog post, Sensory Processing Disorder: What it is and How to EMPOWER our children on Mom-Blog and wanted to share my daughter's story to open up the eyes of parents who may have undiagnosed children, as well as spread awareness of the issues that children with Sensory Processing Disorders go through. I hope this helps someone out there.

At two years old, I knew that there was something "off" about my daughter. She was one of the most beautiful girls I had ever seen in my entire life (oh, yes and still is! I mean, look at the picture!), but her reactions and behaviors were completely irritating sometimes, if not strange and offbeat. There were things that she would do that would drive me up the wall and make the think, "What the heck is wrong with you?"

Lacking the Ability to Follow Simple Directions

For instance, if you were to hand my daughter a piece of trash and then tell her to put it in the trash can and then wash her hands (at three years old), she would get halfway to the trashcan and turn to me like she forgot what I told her - and she had "forgotten"! (Or, shall I say, it went into her ears, but did not connect with her brain. This is the Auditory Processing part of the Sensory Processing Disorder). Two-step directions did not jive with her at all, let alone three steps, and forget anything beyond that!

Speech Delay

Her speech development was behind at three years old, so my husband and I enrolled in her in awesome speech development program through Child Development Services in Arundel, Maine. Her speech therapist, Rita, was one of the most awesome people in the whole, entire world! She worked with Veronica, completed a ton of assessments and finally came up with her final evaluation: Veronica had an Auditory Processing Disorder.

We had never heard of such a thing! And, remember, this was 7 years ago. So, I started reading up on the Internet and in books and asking a million questions to find answers. To this day, I still do not completely understand the entire concept of Sensory Processing Disorders - and to be quite honest, if you do not have one, they are definitely difficult to understand and relate to, let alone recognize.

In addition to her speech delay and auditory processing disorder, she would walk up and down the stairs one stair at a time, meaning that she would step onto a step and then bring the other foot to meet the leading foot. This was on every step that she took, rather than stepping on one step and then bringing the other foot to the next step. She was also very bow-legged, and to this day at ten years old, still walks with inward turned toes. 

What Did I Do Wrong???

Once the mystery was unveiled, I felt terrible as a mother. Was there something that I did wrong? Is this my fault? I think, as parents, we automatically start questioning ourselves, and our parenting, when there is something wrong - *ahem*, different - with our children. We dig through our pregnancy, the first hours after they were born, food that we have fed them, places we exposed them to, desperately seeking theories and resolutions that will explain why...and, most likely, we come up with nothing.

But, that wasn't all...I was so terribly mad at myself for the times when I became overly frustrated with her. I beat myself up, immediately recalling the times when I was so frustrated with her lack of reaction, and what I assumed was complete disrespect, when I asked her to do something. I hadn't spanked her, but there were so many times I remembered raising my voice and yelling at her for not doing what she was told. I wanted to just hug her and hold her and take back all of those times...and tell her I was sorry.

Mommy's sorry, my precious little girl!

But, I couldn't. I couldn't take back the frustration, the yelling, the tears, her utter confusion. The only thing I could do was educate myself and be understanding in the future...and help her face life with her differentness...

More Issues

Although we (that would be my husband and I) finally knew that she had an "Auditory Processing Disorder", we were not aware until many years later that there was more to the story. When she was eight, she hit the brick wall in third grade - in other words, she started to struggle tremendously.

She couldn't focus in school and often came home with no understanding of the concepts discussed in class. After several visits to the doctors and evaluations with her teacher, she was diagnosed with ADD.

For those of you who do not know, I will make it simple:

ADHD is the attention deficit (lack of focus), plus hyperactivity (overly active) disorder, while ADD is more about the lack of focus, so she's not bouncing off of the walls - which would have been a great indicator of ADHD...ADD was more difficult to recognize, in my opinion.

After a long struggle with whether or not to give her medicine, I had a talk with her and left the decision up to her (don't judge me). I was opposed to giving children drugs, but if it could help...who was I to say no?

She decided to try the medication, but that was short-lived (maybe two months), as it didn't seem to make any difference...and why give our children drugs when they don't make a difference?

Alternatively, I worked hard to explain to her that her brain works differently than other people's brains - including her siblings - and that she would have to work harder than others to succeed in school and life.

Even More Discovery...

It wasn't until recently, about a few months ago, when we had a meeting at the school with the guidance counselor to discuss issues that were popping up. (We are, of course, our childrens' biggest advocates and allies.)

Firstly, our daughter was experiencing difficulties with another classmate, but she was also having trouble in school again. We had moved from North Carolina to New York...and, apparently, the whole section about her auditory processing disorder and ADD did not come with her school records when she transferred.

So, the school was clueless. It was time I clued them in...

As I was cluing the guidance counselor in on my daughter's issues, she revealed that she, too, had sensory processing issues. She said that showering was like pins and needles on her skin...it literally hurt.

Wow! I had never heard things from that side of the fence before!

Then, it hit me! It was like pulling teeth to get my daughter to take showers and baths...it was like swimming against the tide to get her to take her personal hygiene seriously, let alone do it at all. She hated (and still hates) brushing her hair and taking a bath or shower...and I had no clue why...until that day, as I had only really focused on learning about auditory processing disorders.

Sensory Processing Disorders

Sensory processing disorders (also known as sensory integration disorders), like any other disability, are not easy to understand if you don't have one. They're even more difficult to recognize, especially if you have no idea that they even exist. I like how the Sensory Processing Disorder Foundation describes them:

Sensory processing (sometimes called "sensory integration" or SI) is a term that refers to the way the nervous system receives messages from the senses and turns them into appropriate motor and behavioral responses. 
 
They go on to explain that essentially everything that we do requires a sensory response and that people with sensory processing disorders can experience issues with just one form of the senses or a combination of many.

For example, some people with sensory processing disorders hate wearing clothes. The sensory issues that can occur range from what they perceive as minor irritation to extreme pain. As the counselor at school had analogized, the water that was hitting her in the shower was like a bunch of pins and needles or knives on her skin.

Misdiagnoses

According to the Sensory Processing Disorder Foundation, many children with SPD are misdiagnosed, due to the lack of training and knowledge about these disorders in the medical industry. And, 1 out of 6 children experience sensory processing issues, according to the Sensory Processing Disorder Scientific Work Group.

I am grateful to Rita, our daughter's first speech therapist, for opening our eyes early in our daughter's life. Had she not known about SPD, we might still be struggling today to give our daughter the encouragement and understanding that she needs - and deserves - to become the most productive person that she can be, despite her difficulties.

Because Rita caught it early, we were able to alter our parenting techniques to help our daughter become a child who thrives throughout her life, rather than struggle. I'm not saying that she is successful all of a sudden and has absolutely no difficulties anymore. No, that's far from the truth.

But, with the knowledge and understanding that we now have, we can maintain our patience and understanding and encourage her through life, despite her difficulties. Our main goal as parents is to raise our children to become successful adults, however some children are not born with all of the "normal" abilities that others have. So, we have to work around the difficulties and teach our children how to thrive the best that they can, just the way they are. 

Keep fighting that fight, girl! Life is what you make of it, not what it dishes out to you.

Update 1-9-2012: Veronica is thriving at her current school this year, in 5th grade, with no prescription drugs. She's an extremely talented singer and aspires to also become a musician with her new guitar. 

Can I Bathe My Children Together? Is It Safe?

http://www.thedoctorstv.com/main/the_doctors_section_head

I was watching the ABC show, The Doctors, yesterday and, although little people were pulling on my legs, trying their best to get me to do something else, I had to stick around through the commercial break for the answer to the next question:

"Is it okay to bathe my children one after another (or together) or can they get germs or bacteria that way?" Okay, maybe the question was worded different, but that was the gist of it.

I was surprised by the answer. We have a jacuzzi tub, so there are quite often family gatherings in the bathroom when the jets start running and the bubbles start overflowing. :) For the most part, putting your children in the bathtub was absolutely fine, according to Dr. Jim Sears.

He did mention that soapy water dries out the kid's skin, so use the soap at the end of the bath, right before they are ready to get out. He also said that if one of your children has (or had) diarrhea, it can be transmitted to another child (or you) up to 14 days after it's gone, so watch out for that. And, of course, Dr. Lisa Masterson piped up to announced that girls should not sit in soapy or dirty water for long...they can get an infection or soreness in their hoo-hoo area.

Otherwise, the doctor said sharing tubs was perfectly fine. I expected to hear about all sorts of different issues, but was glad to hear that sharing the tub was okay...

Because my kids love jacuzzi tub parties!

Busiest Times of Day For Women & Women's Most Time Consuming Activities

I received an email that I found quite interesting and wanted to share it with you (I also found the images - The one below reminds me of....me!):

voguemom.blogspot.com

 

New Survey Reveals Busiest Times of Day for Women, Most Time-Consuming Activities

HealthyWomen Provides 12 Time-StretchingTips for Women

Red Bank, N.J., November 4, 2010 – With Daylight Savings around the corner,(My own words): with a new year here, many women will find that extra hour of sunshine in the morning comes at their most hectic time of the day they might want to instill new ways to add more time to their day. According to research released today by HealthyWomen (HW), women’s busiest hours are closely connected to the work day–but the number one activity that takes time away from women is domestic chores. These findings affirm that despite women taking on greater roles outside the home, they are still very much constrained by household activities. Fortunately, they are also finding novel strategies to cope.

The survey of more than 1000 women, conducted by Harris interactive, shows that the largest percentage of women (38%) feel most pressed for time in the early morning hours of their day, from 6:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. and one-fifth of those surveyed (20%) report the biggest time pressures during early evening, from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., when many families are preparing for and eating dinner, as well as finishing up tasks from the day.

“What makes these findings so interesting is that they are connected to a typical work day,” said Elizabeth Battaglino Cahill, RN, executive director of HealthyWomen. “The Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that women will represent a majority of the workforce for the first time in history within the next year and despite women working outside the home more, we see from this survey that their time is still very much consumed by domestic duties.”

How women actually spend their time vs. how they would like to spend it

When asked which activities kept them from doing the things they wanted to do, almost half of the women surveyed cited domestic chores (49%). A similar number (47%) cited paying bills or running errands. And almost a quarter of women (23%) included activities such as making phone calls, texting and emailing as significant time sinks.

If they had more time, the majority of women (65%) would use it for entertainment, such as reading, watching TV and using the internet. Many women would also choose to spend time with friends or family (54%) and on physical activities such as working out or running (46%).

Other findings from the survey include notable differences among older and younger women. 

· Digital overload for younger women. Younger women (ages 18-34) were more likely than those over 35 to cite communicating with others through phone calls, texts and email as an activity that keeps them from doing what they want.
· Health and hygiene more time-consuming for younger women. Younger women also are much more likely to say that personal hygiene takes up too much time and dealing with their menstrual cycle/period keeps them from doing the things they want to do.
· Younger women would like more “me time.” If given more time, younger women were more likely to say that they would spend time ‘doing nothing’ or sleeping.

Simple, time-saving solutions

“Whatever their obligations, women are coming up with creative ways to conserve their time and cut down stress,” explained Battaglino Cahill. “We asked the HealthyWomen community to give us their tips on saving time, and selected the best tips to share so we can all try to find more time for the things that are most important to us.”

From hundreds of submissions, HealthyWomen selected the top 12 easiest and most practical ways to save time throughout the day–and to take advantage of that extra hour of morning sunshine that comes with Daylight Savings.

HealthyWomen’s Top 12 Time Saving Tips

Domestic Duties

1. Make Fridays left over night – you will clean out the fridge and save time and money. Rose T., Washington

2. We know you want to be watching TV, but how about making that personal time a bit more productive? Use commercial breaks to squeeze in some of the end-of-day chores – sort laundry, start the washer, vacuum a room, unload the dishwasher, organize the kitchen counter. Isabel H., South Carolina

3. Sign up for free automatic bill-paying services for all recurring bills such as utility bills, etc. Then set up an online bank account for free, one-click payment of all other bills - saves time, postage, and gas! Dorothea S.,
Washington

Running Errands

4. Combine as many errands as you can into one outing – grouping them by location and reducing travel time. Julia W., Washington, D.C.

5. Ask for help! Keep a list of your errands and an ear open in case your spouse, relative or friend is headed to the same place. Anonymous

6. Ride your bike, walk or run to run local errands – eliminating the need to take time to exercise later. Rachel L, Georgia

Communicating with Others

7. Set a schedule and establish boundaries throughout the day. For example, at the beginning of each conversation, tell others how much time you have available. It’s as easy as saying, “I’m glad you called, but I’ve only got about 10 minutes to chat…” Shannon S., Texas

8. Make email more efficient – spending the time to unsubscribe for all the junk emails will give you an inbox with just the information you want, and less time deleting the stuff you don’t. Marsha S., New Jersey

9. Take public transportation to work, and use that time to read, update your to-do list, or answer personal emails. Anonymous

Health and Beauty

10. Reconsider your definition of clean and don't shampoo every day - your hair will be healthier and shinier and your shower will be shorter. Ute V., Florida

11. Keep your period light – at least packing for it. You can safely wear a menstrual cup all day, which saves time changing and packing your feminine protection. Anonymous

12. Tried and true – set your clothes out the night before. Women who don’t can waste time trying on different outfits or having to iron at the busiest time of the day. Deolinda J., New York

This survey was supported by an educational grant from Instead Softcup (www.softcup.com).

About the Survey

This survey was conducted online within the United States by Harris Interactive on behalf of HealthyWomen from October 13-15, 2010 among 1,015 women ages 18 and older. This online survey is not based on a probability sample and therefore no estimate of theoretical sampling error can be calculated. For complete survey methodology, including weighting variables, please contact Tara May at tara.may@ogilvypr.com.

About HealthyWomen

HealthyWomen (HW) is the nation's leading independent health information source for women. For more than 20 years, women have been coming to the HW for answers to their most pressing and personal health care questions. HW provides health information through a wide array of online content and print publications that are original, objective and reviewed and approved by medical experts. Its website, www.HealthyWomen.org®, was recognized by ForbesWoman as one of the "Top 100 Websites for Women" and was named the top women’s health website by Dr. Mehmet Oz in O, The Oprah Magazine and by Good Housekeeping magazine. To learn more, visit www.HealthyWomen.org.

About Instead Softcup

The Instead Softcup is a body-friendly, convenient alternative to tampons and pads. Designed by a woman, Softcup is a flexible menstrual cup worn internally, around the cervix, which collects rather than absorbs menstrual fluid. Women can wear Softcups for up to 12 hours, making it perfect for moms, runners/athletes, college students, women with irregular periods, peri-menopausal women, or any busy woman. It can be worn confidently during any type of activity, including sleeping, swimming, and sports, and even during intercourse for mess-free sex. Unlike tampons, the Softcup doesn't change the body's natural pH balance, contain dioxins, and it’s made of a non-irritating, non-absorbent plastic material that isn't linked to toxic shock syndrome (TSS). To find store locations, visit www.softcup.com.

About Harris Interactive

Harris Interactive is one of the world's leading custom market research firms, leveraging research, technology, and business acumen to transform relevant insight into actionable foresight. Known widely for the Harris Poll and for pioneering innovative research methodologies, Harris offers expertise in a wide range of industries including healthcare, technology, public affairs, energy, telecommunications, financial services, insurance, media, retail, restaurant, and consumer package goods. Serving clients in over 215 countries and territories through our North American, European, and Asian offices and a network of independent market research firms, Harris specializes in delivering research solutions that help us – and our clients – stay ahead of what’s next. For more information, please visit www.harrisinteractive.com.

I was given permission to reprint this information on my blog. Thanks for the research and useful tips, Softcup!

Tea Tree Oil: Benefits Mothers Must Know!

I am just getting over an infection in my foot. Okay, I KNOW! TMI!

But, I HAD to share this information with you all...because I had no idea how well tea tree oil worked until I tried it myself! I was definitely at my wit's end...and two steps away from heading to the hospital, where I knew they would put me on antibiotics and send me home after 6 hours of waiting. That just doesn't jive with my schedule...so I started digging around the internet for items around the house that could heal an infected foot.

This started with a small abrasion on the top of my foot that, I think, progressed into the infection after too many enjoyable sittings in the jacuzzi tub. Tea tree oil popped up over and over again with the Internet searches...so, what did I have around the house with tea tree oil in it? Tea Tree Shampoo! Okay, I took a chance!I put the shampoo, without watering it down, directly on my ouchie. Lo and behold! This morning, it is drying up and the redness is disappearing quickly! Wow!

Now, I'm not advocating putting tea tree shampoo on ouchies, but I will say that it worked for me. And, I want to highlight some of the (possible) benefits of tea tree oil for those of you that haven't used it - or heard of all of the amazing things it can do!

First of all, it is NATURAL. Tea tree oil is supposed to cure three kinds of infections, including fungus, bacteria, and viruses. In addition, when antibiotics DON'T work, tea tree oil is said to work wonders.

Uses:

Acne, abscesses, insect bites, rashes, oily skin, athlete's foot, blisters, sun burns, warts, herpes, dandruff and other minor wounds and irritations. More: boils and carbuncles, bad breath, gums, and plaque, head lice, and yeast infections.

It is also said to treat sore throats, coughs, runny noses (just SMELL it - you'll figure out why quickly), asthma, tuberculosis, bronchitis. It is ALSO supposed to help fight diseases, such as shingles, the measles, the flu, cold sores, verrucae, and chicken pox.

In addition, it is known to strengthen the immune system.

Side Effects:

If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, you might want to avoid Tea Tree Oil. It can also cause irritation, redness, and itchiness. You can dilute Tea Tree Oil with Olive Oil to lessen the side effects.

DO NOT DRINK IT!

Where to Buy Tea Tree Oil

Why, of course, you can hit the Internet sites. Also, if you're looking for the shampoo, health stores or Wal-Mart would be a good bet. Feel free to hit the contact me tab and I'll point you in the right direction.

You might find the pricing to be a bit high, but think of all of the benefits that it brings...and it saved me a trip to the hospital! That's priceless!

Do You Have Issues With Adult Acne?

I have gathered a small team of moms to participate in a 6 week project called the Mommy Rantings Acne Project, but I am looking for a few more. We're on the hunt for the best products to clear up those pesky bumps! I'm currently recruiting sponsors for the acne products...so if you are a company that carries acne products, contact me to be a sponsor! You will receive a ton of exposure on Mommy Rantings as well as Twitter and Facebook.

If you suffer from adult acne and would like to participate in this project, contact me for details! If you know someone who might want to participate, send them my way. Participants will be given the products to evaluate for the 6 week period in exchange for their participation in the project. You have nothing to lose but that acne!